Glenwood Canyon's cliffs are classic bighorn sheep country

Glenwood Canyon’s sheer rock walls are the kind of country Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are built for. Colorado’s state animal lives on steep, broken terrain, where sure footing on narrow ledges keeps it safe from most predators — and the canyon offers exactly that kind of ground. If you slow down and look up, movement on the rock may turn out to be a sheep.

There is no guarantee bighorn will be in view on any given day, and that is part of what makes the looking worthwhile. If you do scan for them, early mornings and the cooler months tend to be better times to watch wildlife in general. Rams carry the heavy curled horns; ewes have shorter ones. From the canyon’s bike-and-foot path or a pullout, a pair of binoculars turns a far-off speck into a clear view.

A few habits keep it good for the sheep and for you. Watch from a distance and do not climb toward them or push in for a closer photo; crowding animals on cliff terrain is dangerous for them. Never feed wildlife. Bighorn are also vulnerable to diseases that can spread from domestic sheep and goats and move through a herd, which is one more reason to keep your space and keep dogs leashed.

For bighorn sheep facts and wildlife-viewing guidance, see Colorado Parks and Wildlife.